Live portion protection structure and connector

Abstract

A live portion protection structure includes a high-voltage electric wire that has a conductor and an insulating cover covering the conductor, a conductive terminal fitting that is connected to the conductor exposed from the high-voltage electric wire, an insulating housing that receives a connection part between the terminal fitting and the conductor, a regulation member that is disposed in a reception path for receiving the connection part into the housing, and an insulating extra-length portion that is provided in the cover. When a part or all of the connection part on a side of the conductor drops out from the housing, the extra-length portion abuts against the regulation member so as to be moved to an outside of the part or all of the connection part to thereby cover the part or all of the connection part.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A live portion protection structure comprising:
 a high-voltage electric wire that comprises a conductor having conductivity and an insulating cover covering the conductor, the conductor includes an exposed end portion; 
 a conductive terminal fitting that is connected to the exposed end portion of the conductor to form a connection part therewith; 
 an insulating housing including a reception path that receives the connection part into the insulating housing; 
 a regulation member that is disposed in the reception path; and 
 an insulating extra-length portion that is connected to the cover and is spaced away from the connection part, 
 wherein when at least a portion of the connection part on a side of the conductor disconnects from the conductive terminal and drops out from the housing, the extra-length portion abuts against the regulation member so as to be moved to an outside of at least the portion of the connection part to thereby cover at least the portion of the connection part. 
 
     
     
       2. The live portion protection structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a misalignment preventing member that engages the extra-length portion and prevents misalignment of the extra-length portion. 
     
     
       3. The live portion protection structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the misalignment preventing member is a ring through which the extra-length portion passes. 
     
     
       4. The live portion protection structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the extra-length portion includes a first folded part and a second folded part, and the ring is inserted between the first folded part and the second folded part such that the first folded portion passes through the ring and the second folded part lies outside of the ring. 
     
     
       5. The live portion protection structure according to  claim 1 , wherein a slit is provided in the extra-length portion. 
     
     
       6. The live portion protection structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the regulation member is formed by an elastic body that generates a pressing force toward an inside of the electric wire. 
     
     
       7. The live portion protection structure according to  claim 6 , wherein a waterproofing rubber plug is used as the regulation member; and
 wherein an inner face of the waterproofing rubber plug is in tight contact with the cover and an outer face of the waterproofing rubber plug is in tight contact with the housing. 
 
     
     
       8. A connector provided at an end portion of a high-voltage electric wire, comprising:
 the live portion protection structure according to  claim 1 , which is used for the connector and the end portion of the high-voltage electric wire. 
 
     
     
       9. The live portion protection structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the extra-length portion is formed by an extra length of the cover.